A recent interview with The Verge’s Nilay Patel on the “Decoder” podcast explained the company’s stance. Scaringe emphasized that Rivian wants to create a seamless and well-integrated digital experience, which is why they are not adopting CarPlay. He compared this to Apple creating iOS and macOS instead of using Microsoft’s Windows operating system, saying, “It is very consistent with Apple’s ethos for us to want to control the ecosystem.”
Apple CarPlay, introduced in 2014, allows iPhone users to mirror some of their phone’s features on a car’s infotainment system, providing access to Siri, navigation, and some apps in a familiar interface. It has become a popular feature, with many consumers considering it a critical factor when buying a car.
Rivian’s rejection of CarPlay comes from a desire to maintain control over the entire user experience within its vehicles. Scaringe explained that CarPlay’s inability to “leverage other parts of the vehicle experience” would make users leave the app for certain functions, like opening the front trunk. He said, “We want the digital experience in the vehicle to feel consistent and harmonious across every touchpoint.”
The decision to exclude CarPlay is part of Rivian’s strategy to control the “digital real estate” within its vehicles. Scaringe stated, “We believe that the digital ecosystem is such an important piece of real estate that we want to retain it.”
He also acknowledged customer feedback about the current shortcomings in Rivian’s mapping and navigation systems, where CarPlay excels. He noted that Rivian is working on improvements, which were helped by their acquisition of route planning app maker Iternio.
Despite not supporting CarPlay, Rivian plans to include many of its desirable features on an “à la carte basis.” The company has already integrated Apple Music with Spatial Audio support. Scaringe expressed his admiration for Apple’s products and reiterated the strong relationship between the two companies. However, he stressed the importance of consistency and control in delivering a “pure product experience” for Rivian customers.
The absence of CarPlay in Rivian’s vehicles is not unique in the automotive industry. Tesla has never adopted the feature, and General Motors recently decided to drop support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicle models. In contrast, luxury brands like Porsche and Aston Martin are set to adopt the next-generation CarPlay experience.
